Correct ACT Administration Can Prevent Development of Drug-Resistant Malaria Strains, WHO Official Says
Correct administration of artemisinin-based combination therapies can prevent malaria parasites from developing drug resistance and contain the disease despite increasing concern that ACTs are becoming less effective, Pascal Ringwald, malaria coordinator at the World Health Organization, said recently, the Phnom Penh Post reports.
According to Ringwald, although two recent studies found that artemisinin has become less effective at treating malaria in Cambodia, it is unlikely that drug-resistant strains of malaria will spread. "There are some cases (of resistance), but they have been contained," Ringwald said, adding that the risk of drug resistance increases when artemisinin is not administered with a combination drug. Duong Socheat -- director of Cambodia's National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control -- said a proactive approach is needed to address the risk of drug resistance in Cambodia and ensure that artemisinin is administered correctly. Ringwald added that although proper use of ACTs likely will control the spread of malaria, health officials also should continue other measures aimed at containing the disease (Worthington, Phnom Penh Post, 2/9).
East African Examines How East Africa Could Be Affected by Drug Resistance in Cambodia
In related news, the East African on Saturday examined how drug-resistant malaria strains in Cambodia could affect malaria control efforts in East Africa. The East African reports that some experts have said drug-resistant malaria could begin to spread worldwide but that other experts have said increased malaria surveillance efforts and education about proper ACT use could reduce the risk of drug resistance in East Africa (Kimani, East African, 2/7).
